Romans 13:1 - Submit to Governing Authorities
As citizens of the world God has ordained the use of governments to protect and defend us. Even a bad government is better than no government. God has instituted these entities to provide peace and order to its citizens. Because of this we should submit ourselves under the authorities that were placed over us and live peaceably.
As believers we have a responsibility to vote wisely. We should be voting and choosing our candidates based on who aligns most closely with scriptural principals and guidelines. The scripture has given us the basis to live. II Peter 1 says, "His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires" ( II Peter 1:3-4 ). Through the knowledge of God and his principals we have everything we need to live a godly life. By knowing these things we will escape the corruption and deceitfulness in the world. This Biblical principal also applies to our government. If we elect men and women who know the scriptures and create laws based on theis principal then we will live peaceably as a nation and escape corruption. Our forefathers understood this and that is why this nation was founded a Christian nation and has been incredibly blessed.
It is true that God has established and ordained each office of government. They exist by His permission and He has sanctioned every position. He has even given his approval to the men and women that we elect into office. These people may not have been God's first or second choice to run our nation; however He does not override our free will in choosing the people who will lead us. This is why it is important to vote scripturally because God allows us to empower those we choose. Once they take power we need to remind ourselves to pray for them on a regular basis. Pray that God will grant them wisdom in leading our country. Pray that He will give them insight into the laws they create. Pray that they will be supported and surrounded by godly men and women who will stand up and speak truth to them.
Remember, God has given us government as a gift to protect us. In the same way, we have a responsibility to protect our government from corruption by voting and empowering the right candidates' based on scriptural principals. The result will be the freedom to worship God as we choose and living peaceably all the days of our lives. May you understand this principal and determine to vote wisely and scripturally from now on.
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